Bean Surprise

Post: # 89597Post **MKG** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:39 pm

My father used to make this (1950s), although where he got the idea from is anyone's guess. I had to recreate it from memory, but I'm sure I got it right because it's delicious. He called it bean surprise, I suspect, because he couldn't think of anything else when we asked him.

Part cook potatoes and onions (because if you don't, they'll never cook right through later). Get big oven-proof pot of any description. Slice the potatoes and onions. Begin to build ...

In the following, all layers are generous ones, not those wafer-thin things.

Layer of onions topped by...
Tin of baked beans (take them out of the tin first) in tomato sauce topped by ...
Generous sprinkling of black pepper and any herb you like (I use thyme) topped by ...
Layer of potatoes.

Repeat the layering at least once.

Add a small amount (about a cupful or so) of any stock you have EXCEPT fish. Bung in oven, uncovered, at about 180 degrees C for the amount of time it takes for the potatoes to cook through (30 to 45 minutes - depends upon how "part" cooked your potatoes were in the first place). Remove from oven, cover with grated cheese (preferably Cheddar). Back in the oven until the cheese has browned.

Serve up, tuck in. Diet tomorrow.

hedgewitch · Fri Mar 14, 2008 3:31 pm

This sounds yummy and just the kind of recipe that appeals to me.
Thanks for posting will definately give this a go.

Wotta Wally · Fri Mar 14, 2008 4:33 pm

Mmmm, Mum does a casserole which isn't too far off this - real comfort food

Put 8 sausages in the bottom of a large casserole dish
Slice up an onion and sprinkle over sausages
Spread a tin of baked beans over top. Fill tin 1/3 way with water and add
Spread sliced potatoes on top (I prefer mashed personally)
Whack in oven for 1.5 hours or so at a medium heat - about 180c - and tuck in.

Ihave tried it with tinned toms but it ain't the same!

Silver Ether · Fri Mar 14, 2008 5:59 pm

my kinda cooking ... bug it in the oven and go for a walk ...

I don't think its bad enough to make you go on a diet ... I would like seconds please ..

Millymollymandy · Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:23 am

Delia will be nicking your recipes!

I like the sound of bean surprise. I think I'll have to try that!

Wombat · Post: # 89771Post **Wombat** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:40 am

Damn! I thought the surprise would be that there are no beans in it!

Nev

Does sound good though.....

Milims · Post: # 89774Post **Milims** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:59 am

Sounds a bit like Cowboy Casserole. You can also add things like bacon, mushrooms, hard boiled egg and sausage. Real wintry comfort food! Yum!

SarahJane · Post: # 90191Post **SarahJane** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 4:25 pm

I am going to have bean surprise for tea! It defo sounds my kind of food!

Thanks MKG.

mrsflibble · Mon Mar 17, 2008 4:41 pm

Wotta Wally wrote:Mmmm, Mum does a casserole which isn't too far off this - real comfort food

Put 8 sausages in the bottom of a large casserole dish
Slice up an onion and sprinkle over sausages
Spread a tin of baked beans over top. Fill tin 1/3 way with water and add
Spread sliced potatoes on top (I prefer mashed personally)
Whack in oven for 1.5 hours or so at a medium heat - about 180c - and tuck in.

Ihave tried it with tinned toms but it ain't the same!

cowboy pie. I do mash too.

dudley · Post: # 90288Post **dudley** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:05 pm

Sounds nice but there won't be any suprise after eating all those beans and onions, lol.

Post: # 90504Post **MKG** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:28 pm

So c'mon, Sarah Jane - how did you like it?

frozenthunderbolt · Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:02 am

Wombat wrote:Damn! I thought the surprise would be that there are no beans in it!

Damn you beat me to in Nev,

scary though, im starting to think like you!